2008 Woodie Awards
Believe
Football shocks California, remains unbeaten in West
By Mike Mallory
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 10/7/05 Section: Sports Extra
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The Rock remained undefeated in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), upsetting the California Vulcans 28-21 Saturday night at N. Kerr Thompson. The win snapped a two game losing streak against California.
Coach George Mihalik said the game will be remembered for a number of years.
"We knew California was stingy, but we felt we could win this game," Mihalik said. "In that fourth quarter, our guys ran with heart and determination."
Rushing for a combined 220 yards and three second half touchdowns, running backs Josh Kniess and Corey Manfull, who ran for 91 yards of his own, charged through the Vulcan defense.
"It's a big boost and nice luxury to have two quality running backs," Mihalik said. "We'll call any play, every play with either guy in there."
As California led 7-6 with less then two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Kniess returned Jon Fowler's 46-yard punt for 58 yards and deep into Vulcan territory. Kniess ran for 160 yards on four separate punt returns for the game.
"I think the punt returns really changed the momentum of the game," Mihalik said. "There's no bigger momentum changing plays than special teams."
Two plays later, Manfull gave the Rock its first touchdown of the day with an eight yard scamper. Quarterback Nate Crookshank tossed the ball to tight end Frank Cremonese for a two point conversion to put the Rock up, 14-7.
Mihalik said Crookshank is getting more confident each time he steps on the field."He always had the ability to make plays with his feet," Mihalik said. "He's improving in both his decision-making ability and when to run and throw the ball."
After the touchdown, the Rock never looked back.
The next drive followed suit. After the Rock forced the Vulcans to punt, Kniess returned the kick 46 yards and into California territory once again. Kniess rushed for a five-yard touchdown, capping off a five play, 23-yard drive to give the Rock a commanding 21-7 lead.
Following a 12-yard touchdown run from California's Antoine Bagwell, Kniess added his second touchdown of the night on the next drive with a 16-yard run at the 4:52 mark of the fourth quarter. Kniess rushed for 107 yards on the ground, his second straight 100-yard game.
Bagwell, who is a multiple time PSAC player of the week award winner this season and led the PSAC in scoring coming into the game, rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the Vulcan loss.
The Rock failed to score a touchdown on two separate drives, which took them into the redzone in the first half. Ryan Daniel kicked field goals of 22 and 26 yards to give the Rock a 6-0 halftime lead.
Mihalik said the team has matured over the past few weeks and didn't panic whenever it didn't score as many points as it could have.
"I said 'Look, we're in control of this football game'," Mihalik said. "We were dominating a very good California team. At halftime, this team realized what it can do."
However, on the opening drive of the second half, California took its first lead of the game when Marcellus Garner caught an 11- yard touchdown pass from Joe Ruggiero at the 11:03 mark of the third quarter. Ruggiero threw for 224 yards in the game.
The Rock controlled the ball for the majority of the game keeping the powerful Vulcan offense off the field.
"I think anytime you control the ball like that, it comes back to one unit, the offensive line," Mihalik said. "The offensive line made a decision to control the line of scrimmage."
Mihalik said even though California came into the game with a great deal of acclaim, a football game is played on the field.
"California was coming in with a lot of hype on paper, but don't let paper decide a football game," Mihalik said. "We took that as a great motivator. The game is always played for four quarters."
